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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 12-17-1996ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS December 17, 1996 9:00 A.M. Government Center Compiled by Chairman Robert M. Boche CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION: Father Allan Bradley, Immaculate Conception Church, New Richmond PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION ADOPTION OF AGENDA ANNOUNCEMENTS: DATE OF NEXT SESSION: January 21, 1997 9:00 A.M. APPOINTMENTS: Bruce Bayer to Long Term Support, Jim Rens to Emergency Communications REPORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR OLD AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Consideration and action on matters tabled, postponed or referred to a committee at a previous meeting) NEW BUSINESS (Action on newly introduced motions, ordinances, resolutions, or other matters) *1. LCC Environmental Education Program - Art Jensen 2. Presentation by Economic Development Comm. 9:30 A.M. 3. Resolution Disbanding St. Croix Co. Library Board 4. Resolution Requesting Local Involvement in Metropolitan or Regional Policies or Projects Affecting Western WI 5. Resolution Requesting The State of Wisconsin Continue Financial Support to Resposible Units for Recycling After 1999 6. Resolution Approving Meeting Times for County Board 7. Resolution Ratifying Law Union Contract and Approving Implementation of Compensation Package for Law Union Employees and Non -Union Employees *8. Resolution Regarding Cancellation of Checks DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS 11:00 A.M. Sheriff, Corporation Counsel and Highway COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS FARMLAND PRESERVATION APPLICATIONS MILEAGE & PER DIEM REPORT CORRESPONDENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS ADJOURNMENT (The above agenda is not necessarily in order of presentations) * Changes or Additions after the Preliminary Agenda ** Late Changes and Additions ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Regular Session December 17, 1996 Meeting called to order by Chair Boche at 9:00 a.m. Invocation was given by Father Allan Bradley, Immaculate Conception Church, New Richmond. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll call: 29 present 2 absent - Suprs. Brown and Mehls (both excused). Motion by Supr. Giese, 2nd by Supr. Bethke to adopt the minutes. Carried. Motion by Supr. Bradley, 2nd by Supr. Berenschot to adopt the agenda. Carried. Next meeting scheduled for January 21, 1997. Appointments: Chair Boche appointed Bruce Bayer to Long Term Support and Jim Rens to the Emergency Communications Committee. Administrative Coordinator: John Krizek reported the Library Transition Team will be disbanding in May after the Books by Mail program is relocated from the Hammond site. The Books by Mail program will continue and will be coordinated through Indianhead Library System. The disposal of the assets went well thanks to the 10 municipal librarians. The New Richmond Library will coordinate the Inter Library Loan and Wiscat programs. Library Transition Team Chair Nancy Bieraugel gave special thanks to Deer Park Librarian Kathy Setter who provided coordination between the team and the other librarians. Krizek said the language problems have been resolved in the AFSCME Union negotiations. In February monetary issues will be addressed. The County, City of Hudson and Village of No. Hudson are all co - owners of the Lake Mallalieu Dam. Previously the State would open the Willow River gates manually and call ahead so the dam could be opened on Lake Mallalieu. Now the gates open automatically and no one calls ahead to open the dam on the Mallalieu. An automatic system will be installed in the spring with the three dam owners sharing the costs. Money is set aside in the Contingency Fund. A request to develop cross country ski trails on Government Center property has been referred to the Planning, Zoning and Parks Committee. The Safety and Security Team gave their report to the Finance Committee. Some measures have been implemented, such as a building inter-com system, armored car service and perimeter lighting remaining on all night. The Sheriff's Dept. has been selected as a pilot county for a digital fingerprinting system. Land Conservation Environmental Education Program: Chair Art Jensen said one function of LCC is education provided by field trips, forestry projects, poster and speaking contests. In a recent environmental poster contest, St. Croix County had four plaque winners. Calendars featuring state winners were distributed to Board members and staff. Jensen thanked the students and teachers for time and talent spent on this project. Presentation by Economic Development Corporation: Chair Boche introduced Mona Flanum, President of the County Economic Development Corporation. Ms. Flanum, using overhead visuals, said 1 the goals are retention of present businesses and fostering growth of new or expanded businesses. Bill Rubin, Executive Director of the County E.D. Corporation, presented an overview of the Revolving Loan Fund. Rubin said this is a micro or small loan with supplemental financing with lender participation. This loan does not replace bank loans but rather compliments them. A growing business may be "cash hungry" caused by need for additional equipment or expansion of the facility. The source of the revolving fund is the WI Dept. of Commerce which grants money to Counties, Towns, Cities or Villages. The business receiving the loan must provide new, full-time jobs. Additional money is provided for administration of the revolving loan fund. Regional Planning can assist in preparation of the application and complete environmental reviews and financial analysis. The entity making the supplemental loan obtains a junior mortgage, lien on equipment, personal guarantees and a promissory note. Repayments create a loan fund for future loans. Examples of recent revolving loan funds were: City of Hudson to Assembly Services and Packaging; Town of Hudson to Caritech, Inc., Pierce and Polk Counties recently approved loans to small businesses. The County benefits by helping retain existing businesses, job creation, partnership with successful companies and an expanded tax base. Rubin compared residential vs. industrial taxation rates. Business tax levies provide more revenue. Rubin introduced Jamie Taylor from Assembly Services and Packaging who reported how the City of Hudson's loan definitely helped this company. During the question and answer period, Ken Heiser, member of the E.D. Committee, commented the City of Hudson is at the maximum amount of grant money to be used for loans; therefore the City cannot obtain another grant to loan to another business. Supr. Horne said the Town of Hudson participates in this loan program and the system is not complicated. Supr. Hense said the County enjoys the benefits of new and expanding businesses and should be looking at this revolving loan fund. Chair Boche thanked Ms. Flanum and Bill Rubin for their presentation. Applause by Board. No action is requested at this time. Supr. Dowd was assured the Board would vote on this issue at a future time. Resolution # 31 (96): Disbanding St. Croix County Library Services Board. Motion by Supr. Sinclear, 2nd by Supr. Horne to adopt. Supr. Olson asked about the formula to disperse funds to local libraries. Krizek replied the formula is determined in the resolution passed previously and sets the pattern of payment for the next five years. Motion carried. Resolution Reauestina Local Involvement in Metropolitan or Regional Policies or Projects Affecting Western Wisconsin: Motion by Supr. Jacobson, 2nd by Supr. O'Connell to adopt. Planning Director Dave Fodroczi said this resolution was reviewed earlier in draft form. Administration Committee reviewed and made the intent more clear. It is now a St. Croix County resolution and does not include Pierce and Polk Counties. Planning, Zoning, and Parks Committee is now referring it to the Board. Discussion and opposition voiced to this resolution. Supr. Giese was concerned that we are waiting to be dictated to by State of MN. Supr. Olson said the resolution is vague and "says nothing." vice Chair Dorsey explained former Supr. Oemichen advised the Planning, Zoning and Parks Committee of the danger of some of our rights being given away without any input from Pierce, Polk and St. Croix Counties' local planning agencies. Motion by Supr. Giese, 2nd by Supr. Sinclear to table this resolution. Carried. Resolution Requesting State Financial Support for Recycling: Motion by Supr Dull, 2nd by Supr. Jensen to refer this back to the Ag. and Extension Education Committee. Carried. Resolution Establishing Schedule for County Board Meetings: Administration Committee Chair Standafer noted that all committee members signed the resolution in the affirmative. Motion by Supr. Standafer, 2nd by Filipiak to adopt. Standafer said Administration was asked to address this issue by some Supervisors. One reason for more night meetings was to allow more participation of potential Supervisors who could not get off work. Discussion on asking staff to come in on their own time rather than during the day; public participation in pertinent issues, and not devoting sufficient time to issues if meetings were held at night. Roll call vote: 8 yes, 21 no, motion to adopt failed. Resolution # 32 (96): Ratifying Law Union Contract and Approving Implementation of Compensation Package For Law Union Employees and Non -Union Employees. Motion by Supr. Krueger, 2nd by Supr. Bradley to place on the floor. Personnel Chair Krueger asked Personnel Director Debra Kathan to explain contract proposals and non -union package. Kathan explained the Law union 3 year cost is 9.75o and the non- union package is 10.140. The Personnel Committee voted to buy out the standard plan health insurance policy which had a $610 per month premium. The fiscal impact is a wash with a 1/20-. payout for two years but administration fees will only be paid on one plan and the county can deal better with HMO companies without having to offer two insurance plans. The Personnel Committee did not want the union dictating all settlements so the two were kept separate. The Law union contact includes 3o per year for 3 years, $.25 per hour the first year and 1/2% buyout for health insurance the 2nd and 3rd years. Cost of the package for the three years is $80,863, $63,509 and $73,800. Non -union package offers 2.5% and an average of $.24 per hour across all grids, 3.2501 the second and third year plus 1/2% buy out for health insurance. Cost of the package for three year is $258,956, $208,123 and $253,662. The majority of these positions 3 are funded from block grants, state and federal grants and child support reimbursement/incentives. The wage/benefit increase as it affects county property tax dollars is approximately $67,000. Discussion and questions regarding merit system, retention of jail staff, determination of $.05 to $.30 per hour increase for non- union and compatibility of increases with 1997 budget. Motion by Supr. Sinclear, 2nd by Supr. Gunderson to accept the Law Enforcement Union contract. Roll call vote: 29 yes, 0 no. Carried. Motion by Supr. Krueger, 2nd by Supr. Olson to approve the non -union package. Roll call vote 28 yes, 1 no. Carried. Supr. Horne requested the Personnel Committee report on history and providing a system of evaluation for non -union employees which would reward salary increases based on merit and not based on a percentage wage increase that goes to everyone. Supr. Standafer agreed that a performance evaluation should be used. Resolution #33 (96): Regarding Cancellation of Checks. Motion by Supr. Bradley, 2nd by Supr. Hense to adopt. Carried. Oral Reports: Presentations by Highway Commissioner Dan Fedderly, Sheriff Paul Burch and Corporation Counsel Greg Timmerman. Committee Reports: Land Conservation: Supr. Bethke reminded Supervisors to display the environmental calendars to increase awareness of the program. Planning, Zoning and Parks: Corporation Counsel Timmerman explained a survey was done on Perch Lake property purchased recently by St. Croix County. The results showed the actual acreage was 58 acres rather than the 67 acres in the original purchase agreement. The reasons are many and varied such as inaccuracy of former survey which used chains to determine boundaries and water is covering more land at this time. The consequences of this are minimal. The DNR has no problems with fewer acres, the appraiser would not change the value and the shoreland and beach area are not affected. DNR is meeting for approval of grant for cost share of this.purchase on Dec. 19. Highway Commissioner Fedderly noted the Highway Dept. is working with Lloyd Waldroff on establishing an entrance road. Farmland Preservation: Motion by Supr. Jensen, 2nd by Supr. Dull to approve extension of contract for Robert and Barbara Ickler, Town of Kinnickinnic and refer to State for approval. Carried. Mileage and Per Diem: Motion to approve total of $7,176.97 for November, 1996 by Supr. Hense, 2nd by Supr. Bethke,. Carried. Motion to adjourn by Supr. Sinclear, 2nd by Supr. Giese. Meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m. Robert M. Boche, Chair 4ute� E Nelson St. Croix County Board of Supervisors St. Croix County Clerk 0